This thread reminded me of an incident that occurred 7 years ago at the Billiard Congress of America North American 8-Ball Championships in Las Vegas. I was competing in the Masters Division which is the top 1-2% of all amateur players. Professional players are not allowed to compete. My first match was against a young kid in his early 20's (I was a white-haired 55), and I happened to overhear part of his conversation with one of his friends before we started play. His friend asked who he was playing, and he said that he was playing some "old guy". The match is a race-to-7 with alternating break, and I won the coin-flip and opted to break. Game 1 I broke and ran out. Game 2 He broke and ran out. Game 3 I broke and ran out. Game 4 He broke and ran out. Game 5 I broke and ran out. Game 6 He broke, didn't make anything, and I ran out. Game 7 I broke, didn't make anything, and he played a safety shot. Then, I ran out. Game 8 He broke and established his group and eventually won the game. The score is now 5-3 in my favor, and I needed to win two more games to win the match. Game 9 I broke and ran out. Game 10 He broke, didn't make anything and I ran out. Final score: 7-3 When the match ended, we shook hands and he asked me, "Are you sure that you're supposed to be playing in the Masters Division?" I smiled and said, "Yeah, even us old guys can play once in a while." Chris
One of these Chris we may just have to play a game or two. I was once good enough to beat Alan Hopkins in a match.
Pool is no fun once you get good enough to run tables. I usually miss a shot or three at the bar to make a game of it... plus nobody would want to play me if I constantly kicked edited.
In 1964 when I was 16, I played 4 straight pool exhibition matches against Willie Mosconi. I only won one of the four, but I ran 150 & out. I really should have won two of the matches. I missed a stupid shot when the score was 135-0, and Willie ran 150 on me. Since then, I've played many, many world champions like Mike Sigel, Buddy Hall, Steve Mizerak, Ray Martin, Nick Varner, etc. My favorite game is One Pocket. Do you play?
Not for years, but always like the game. In fact I haven't played at all in years. My cue case has so much dust on it thta it might take a while just to find it Never had the honor of playing with Willie, but one night in a bar in Detroit I played with Fats. Fats got his clock cleaned by Hopkins. Then I beat Hopkins like a red headed step child. Fats was so happy about that that he gave me his cue. That's a night I'll never forget. I was only 17. Boy that was a long tome ago ! edit - sorry gang, we need to get back on topic here or take this elsewhere
Hey Spider, methinks you feel threatened by us "oldtimers". Yep, we've forgotten more than you'll ever, ever know. Best you jump off your little soap box before you break your arm patting yourself on your back. lol zeke
Ok, I have to admit that I almost didn't even open this thread because I didn't want to be accused of being an "old timer" but curiosity got the better of me! So perhaps I am old enough to be considered an "old timer" but I had to at least come to the defense of my fellow old timer pals, like Doug. ! (ok, of course, Doug never needs defending cause, even being older than dirt, he does a darn good job of taking care of himself ). But let me just say, we oldies but goodies may not post as often as the youngins because we have learned that quality is better than quantity (not to mention that our fingers don't work as speedily on the keyboards as our young blogging counterparts). However, over the years while our bones began creaking, our hair was turning gray (or disappearing altogether for some), and our eyes became tired looking and wrinkled, we were gaining wisdom, knowledge, understanding, experience, and most of all patience. So when we do have something to say, it would serve you youngins well to, as they say, LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS!
